Domino is a generic term for any of a series of small oblong-shaped, clay or ceramic pieces marked with an arrangement of spots or numbers (known as “pips”) on one side and blank or identically patterned on the other, which are used to play games of chance or skill. They are similar to playing cards and dice, in that they can be used in a variety of ways, either as an individual game piece or as a component in a larger game.
The most common type of domino is the double-six set, which has 28 tiles arranged in two rows of seven each. These form the “stock,” which players draw from when they need more dominoes to continue a game. The most basic rule of any domino game is that a player must play a domino with a value matching or exceeding the number of dots on the previous domino played.
As a result of this rule, most dominoes are played in sequence, with each player taking a turn placing their tile edge to edge against an adjacent piece until the line is completed or no more dominoes can be placed. The first person to play all of their tiles wins the game.
Some sets are made of natural materials, such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, and ebony, which have a more distinctive look and feel than polymer-based sets. Some are also made of metal, marble, and soapstone; these have a more sophisticated appearance and often a heavier weight.
Hevesh, who has been creating domino art for several years and now has more than 2 million YouTube subscribers, has a knack for designing intricate patterns that can take hours to fall. She says that the key to her success is finding a balance between speed and accuracy. Her fastest creations took about five minutes to topple, but her largest setups required a few nail-biting minutes for the dominoes to complete their chain reaction.
For writers, understanding how to use the domino effect can help you create plot beats that make sense for your story. For example, if your protagonist does something that runs against societal norms, you need to provide readers with the logic behind this action so they can give it a pass or continue to like the character.
For this reason, it is important to think about the domino effect whenever you are planning a scene. The more precise and clear your plan, the more likely it is to work. Plotting a novel ultimately comes down to answering one question: What happens next? Using the domino effect will help you answer this question with a compelling story. Whether you write off the cuff or follow a strict outline, the domino effect will help you keep your readers engaged and waiting for your next move. You can see it in action by watching this video of a domino sculpture that took nine months to complete.